Multimedia device having flexible display and controlling method thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a multimedia device including a flexible display and controlling method thereof. The present invention includes a guide bar, a flexible display configured to be rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar, the flexible display having a first region rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar and a second region not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar, a receiving unit configured to receive a content and metadata corresponding to the content from a source device, and a control unit adjusting a vertical width of the second region of the flexible display in accordance with a preset condition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,860,474 issued on Jan.2, 2018, which is the National Phase of PCT International ApplicationNo. PCT/KR2013/008153 filed on Sep. 10, 2013, which claims the prioritybenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0065936 filed in the Republic of Korea on Jun. 10, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a multimedia device and controllingmethod thereof, and more particularly, to a multimedia device includinga flexible display and controlling method thereof. Although the presentinvention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it isparticularly suitable for rolling up the flexible display. For example,the multimedia device may include one of a network TV, a smart TV, ahybrid broadcast broadband television (HBBTV), and internet TV, a webTV, an internet protocol television (IPTV) and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a multimedia device is equipped with a function of receivingand processing a user-viewable broadcast image. Recently, analogbroadcasting tends to be replaced by digital broadcasting in manycountries including Republic of Korea and the like.

Digital broadcasting means the broadcasting of transmitting digitalvideo and audio signals. Since the digital broadcasting is strongeragainst external noise than the analog broadcasting, the digitalbroadcasting has data loss less than that of the analog broadcasting.The digital broadcasting is more advantageous than the analogbroadcasting in error correction. The digital broadcasting hasresolution higher than that of the analog broadcasting. And, the digitalbroadcasting provides a screen image clearer than that of the analogbroadcasting. Moreover, the digital broadcasting is capable ofinteractive services unlike the analog broadcasting. Recently, there aremany ongoing discussions on a smart TV in which an image display devicefunction and a multimedia device function are integrated or combinedwith each other.

Meanwhile, hard types of displays have been mainly used. However, sinceit is impossible to change an exterior shape of a hard type display, ablank is left on top, bottom, right and/or left side of a screendepending on an aspect ratio of a content displayed on the display,whereby immersion in the content is disturbed. Recently, a flexibledisplay, which can be bent or curved, is ready to be commercialized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a multimedia deviceand controlling method thereof that may substantially obviate one ormore of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the relatedart.

An object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia device andcontrolling method thereof, by which a solution for adjusting a screenregion in a display to fit into an optimized aspect ratio of a contentcan be provided.

[Another object of the present invention is to provide a multimediadevice and controlling method thereof, by which a solution for adjustinga height of a display to fit into a user's eye height can be provided.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method ofutilizing a display in a standby mode of a multimedia device.

Technical tasks obtainable from the present invention are non-limitedthe above mentioned effect. And, other unmentioned technical tasks s canbe clearly understood from the following description by those havingordinary skill in the technical field to which the present inventionpertains.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, amultimedia device according to one embodiment of the present inventionincludes a guide bar, a flexible display configured to be rolled up onan outer circumference of the guide bar, the flexible display having afirst region rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar and asecond region not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar,a receiving unit configured to receive a content and metadatacorresponding to the content from a source device, and a control unitadjusting a vertical width of the second region of the flexible displayin accordance with a preset condition.

To further achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the present invention, a method of controlling a multimediadevice, which includes a guide bar and a flexible display configured tobe rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar, according toanother embodiment of the present invention includes the steps ofreceiving a content and metadata corresponding to the content from asource device, extracting an aspect ratio information from the receivedmetadata, and adjusting an extent of the flexible display rolled up onthe outer circumference of the flexible display in accordance with theextracted aspect ratio information.

To further achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the present invention, a method of controlling a multimediadevice, which includes a guide bar and a flexible display configured tobe rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar, according to afurther embodiment of the present invention includes the steps ofreceiving a content and metadata corresponding to the content from asource device, receiving a command signal for selecting an aspect ratioof a screen in the flexible display, and adjusting an extent of theflexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of the flexibledisplay in accordance with the received command signal.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects and/orfeatures.

First of all, according to one embodiment of the present invention, asolution for adjusting a screen region in a display to fit into anoptimized aspect ratio of a content is provided.

Secondly, according to another embodiment of the present invention, asolution for adjusting a height of a display to fit into a user's eyeheight is provided.

Thirdly, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, amethod of utilizing a display in a standby mode of a multimedia deviceis provided.

Effects obtainable from the present invention are non-limited the abovementioned effect. And, other unmentioned effects can be clearlyunderstood from the following description by those having ordinary skillin the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing figures as follows.

FIG. 1a is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device including aflexible display according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1b is a diagram of a portion of a guide bar included in themultimedia device shown in FIG. 1a.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of component modules of a multimedia deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of component modules of a control unitshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for another example of component modules of amultimedia device including a flexible display according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for a further example of component modules of amultimedia device including a flexible display according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exterior of a remote controller configured tocontrol a multimedia device including a flexible display according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed diagram of inner component modules of a remotecontroller configured to control a multimedia device including aflexible display according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for one example of a GUI displayed on a screen in amultimedia device according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are diagrams of a multimedia device according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram to describe one example of adjusting a height of amultimedia device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device having asensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for another example of a multimedia device having asensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for a method of controlling a multimedia deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

As used herein, the suffixes ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ are used forelements in order to facilitate the disclosure only. Therefore,significant meanings or roles are not given to the suffixes themselvesand it is understood that the ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ can be usedtogether or interchangeably.

Meanwhile, a display device described in the present specification is anintelligent network TV additionally equipped with a computer supportivefunction. In particular, the display device fully supports a broadcastreceiving function and has an internet function and the like addedthereto. Hence, the display device can have such a facilitated interfaceas a handwritten input device, a touchscreen, a space remote controllerand the like. And, the display device is connected to internet andcomputer with the support of wired/wireless internet function and canperform functions of email, web browsing, banking, game and the like.For the various function, a standardized universal operation system (OS)can be used.

And, since various applications can be freely added to or deleted from auniversal OS kernel, a display device mentioned in the description ofthe present invention can perform various kinds of user-friendlyfunctions.

Moreover, although reference will now be made in detail to the preferredembodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustratedin the accompanying drawings, the present invention may be non-limitedby the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

First of all, although terminologies used in the present specificationare selected from general terminologies used currently and widely inconsideration of functions in the present invention, they may be changedin accordance with intentions of technicians engaged in thecorresponding fields, customs, advents of new technologies and the like.Occasionally, some terminologies may be arbitrarily selected by theapplicant(s). In this case, the meanings of the arbitrarily selectedterminologies shall be described in the corresponding part of thedetailed description of the invention. Therefore, terminologies used inthe present specification need to be construed based on the substantialmeanings of the corresponding terminologies and the overall mattersdisclosed in the present specification rather than construed as simplenames of the terminologies.

FIG. 1a is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device including aflexible display according to one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1b is a diagram of a portion of a guide bar included in themultimedia device shown in FIG. 1a. One example of a multimedia deviceincluding a flexible display according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is described with reference to FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b as follows.

Referring to FIG. 1a, a multimedia device 100 according to oneembodiment of the present invention includes a guide bar 110 and aflexible display 120.

The guide bar 110 is configured in a rod shape having a lengthdirection. For instance, the guide bar 110 may be formed in acylindrical shape. Yet, no limitations are put on the shape of the guidebar 110. And, the multimedia device 100 may further include a housingconfigured to enclose an outside of the guide bar 110.

The flexible display 120 is supported by the guide bar 110 and can berolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 110. A size of ascreen 122 of the flexible display 120 can be adjusted depending on asize of a portrait length of the flexible display 120 wound on the outercircumference of the guide bar 110. In particular, if an extent of theflexible display 120 rolled up on the outer circumference of the guidebar 110 increases, the size of the screen 122 decreases correspondingly.If an extent of the flexible display 120 rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar 110 decreases, the size of the screen 122increases correspondingly. In this case, the screen 122 means a part ofthe flexible display 120, on which video data, image data, text data andthe like are displayed. In particular, the screen 122 may be situatedwithin a region of the flexible display 120 failing to be rolled up onthe outer circumference of the guide bar 110.

In case that a user does not use the multimedia device 100 for longterm, the flexible display 120 is facilitated to be stored in a mannerof being fully rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar110.

A motor (not shown in the drawing) is built in the guide bar 110 to rollup the flexible display 120 on the outer circumference of the guide bar110. Once the motor starts to rotate, the guide bar 110 connected to themotor rotates to adjust an extent of rolling up the flexible display 120supported by the guide bar 110 on the outer circumference of the guidebar 110. Referring to FIG. 1b, the guide bar 110 may include a firstpart 111 configured to support the flexible display 120, a second part112 provided to both end portions of the first part 111 in a manner ofhaving a motor built therein, and a third part 113 locked to the secondpart 112. The first part 111 is locked to one end of the flexibledisplay 120 and is designed to have the flexible display 120 rolled upon its outer circumference while the first part 111 supports theflexible display 120. As the second part 112 having the motor builttherein rotates, the first part 111 rotates together with the secondpart 112. If the first part 111 rotates, it is able to adjust an extentof rolling up the flexible display 120. The 3rd part 113 is the partlocked to a string (cf. a reference number 2030 shown in FIG. 20) thatwill be explained later. And, a distance detection sensor may beprovided to each of a top side 114 and a bottom side 115 of the thirdpart 113. Conducting lines 116 including RF antenna, A/V cable, powercable and the like can be connected to the guide bar 110.

For instance, the flexible display 120 may include an organic lightemitting diode (OLED).

FIG. 2 is a diagram of component modules of a multimedia deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. In the followingdescription, component modules of a multimedia device according to oneembodiment of the present invention are explained with reference to FIG.2. Yet, FIG. 2 shows one embodiment for clarity of the followingdescription. If the embodiment includes other component modules as wellas the former component modules shown in FIG. 2 or the former componentmodule(s) shown in FIG. 2 is omitted in part, it may belong to the scopeof the appended claims and their equivalents. Moreover, the multimediadevice 200 may correspond to the former multimedia device 100 shown inFIG. 1a. Besides, if some of the component modules shown in FIG. 2 areseparated from a display unit 280 in form of STB (set-top box), it maybelong to the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring to FIG. 2, a multimedia device 200 according to one embodimentof the present invention may include a receiving unit 205, an externaldevice interface unit 235, a storage unit 240, a user interface unit250, a sensor unit 260, a control unit 270, a display unit 2380280, anaudio output unit 285, a power supply unit 290 and a photographing unit(not shown in the drawing).

The receiving unit 205 may include a tuner 210, a demodulator 220 and anetwork interface 230. Optionally, if necessary, the receiving unit 205can be designed to include the tuner 210 and the demodulator 220 withoutthe network interface 230. On the contrary, the receiving unit 205 canbe designed to include the network interface 230 without the tuner 210and the demodulator 220.

The tuner 210 selects an RF (radio frequency) broadcast signal, whichcorresponds to a channel selected by a user or all of the savedchannels, from RF broadcast signal received via an antenna. Thedemodulator 220 receives a digital IF signal (DIF) transformed by thetuner 210 and then performs a demodulating operation thereon.

The demodulator 220 performs demodulation and channel decoding and isthen able to output a stream signal TS. In this case, the stream signalmay include a signal in which a video signal, an audio signal and/or adata signal are multiplexed with each other. For instance, the streamsignal may include an MPEG-2 TS (transport stream) in which an MPEG-2video signal, a Dolby AC-3 audio signal and the like are multiplexedwith each other. In particular, the MPEG-2 TS can include a 4-byteheader and a 184-byte payload.

The stream signal outputted from the demodulator 220 can be inputted tothe control unit 270. Subsequently, the control unit 270 performsdemultiplexing, video/audio signal processing and the like and thenoutputs a video and an audio to the display unit 280 and the audiooutput unit 285, respectively. And, the display unit 280 may correspondto the flexible display shown in FIG. 1a.

The external device interface unit 235 can connect the multimedia device200 to an external device. To this end, the external device interfaceunit 235 can include an A/V input/output unit (not shown in the drawing)or a wireless communication unit (not shown in the drawing).

The external device interface unit 235 204 may be connected bywire/wireless to such an external device as a DVD (digital versatiledisk), a BD (Blu-ray disc) player, a game device, a camera, a camcorder,a computer (e.g., laptop, etc.) and the like. Meanwhile, the externaldevice interface unit 235 receives an application or an application listin a neighbor external device and is then able to deliver it to thecontrol unit 270 or the storage unit 240.

The network interface 230 may include an Ethernet terminal and the likefor an access to a wired network for example. And, for the connection toa wireless network, the network interface 230 may use such acommunication protocol as WLAN (wireless LAN: Wi-Fi), Wibro (wirelessbroadband), Wimax (world interoperability for microwave access), HSPDA(high speed downlink packet access) and the like for example. And, thenetwork interface 230 selects a desired application from applicationsopen to the public via a network and is then able to receive theselected application.

The storage unit 240 may store programs for signal processing andcontrol within the control unit 270. And, the storage unit 240 may storea signal processed audio, video or data signal.

The storage unit 240 may perform a function for temporary storage of anaudio, video or data signal inputted from the external device interfaceunit 235 or the network interface 230. Moreover, the storage unit 240may store the application or the application list inputted from theexternal device interface unit 235 or the network interface 230.

The user interface unit 250 forwards a signal inputted by a user to thecontrol unit 270. The user interface unit 250 forwards a signal from thecontrol unit 270 to the user. For instance, the user interface unit 240250 receives and processes a control signal for power-on/off, channelselection, screen settings or the like from the remote controller 300 bysuch a communication protocol as RF (radio frequency) communicationprotocol, infrared (IR) communication protocol and the like. And, theuser interface unit 250 transmits a control signal from the control unit270 to the remote controller 300.

The control unit 270 may generate and output a signal for a video oraudio output in a manner of demultiplexing a stream inputted via thetuner 210, the demodulator 220 or the external device interface unit 235or processing demultiplexed signals.

The video signal video-processed by the control unit 270 is inputted tothe display unit 280 and can be then displayed as a video or imagecorresponding to the inputted video signal. And, the video signalvideo-processed by the control unit 270 can be inputted to an externaloutput device via the external device interface unit 235. The audiosignal processed by the control unit 270 is inputted to the audio outputunit 285. And, the audio signal processed by the control unit 270 can beinputted to the external output device via the external device interfaceunit 235.

The display unit 280 generates a drive signal by converting the video,data and OSD signals processed by the control unit 270, or the video anddata signals received from the external device interface unit 235 toR/G/B signals. The display unit 280 includes a flexible display that canbe bent or curved. And, the display unit 280 may include OLED (organiclight emitting diode). In case that a graphic user interface (GUI) for auser input is displayed on a screen of the display unit 280, the displayunit 280 can play a role as a user interface unit as well as a role anoutput unit.

The audio output unit 285 outputs an audio by receiving an input ofstereo signal, 3.1-channel signal or 5.1-channel signal, which isaudio-processed by the control unit 270, for example. And, the audiooutput unit 285 may be implemented with speakers of various types.

The power supply unit 290 supplies power to the multimedia device 200overall. In particular, the power supply unit 290 can supply the powerto the control unit 270 implemented into an SOC (system on chip) type,the display unit 280 for the image or video display, and the audiooutput unit 285 for the audio output.

The sensor unit 260 can include at least one of an eye recognitionsensor for recognizing a user's eye, a motion recognition sensor forrecognizing a user's motion, a voice recognition sensor for recognizinga user's voice and the like.

The remote controller 300 transmits a user input to the user interfaceunit 250. To this end, the remote controller 300 can use Bluetooth, RF(radio frequency) communication, IR communication, UWB (ultra wideband),Zigbee and the like. Particularly, the remote controller 300 shall bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 later.

The tuner 210 receives AV data of a broadcast program. And, the tuner210 can be replaced by a broadcast network interface.

The network interface 230 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from each source device. In this case, the source devicemeans a broadcasting station, a contents provider, a service provider orthe like. And, the network interface 230 can be designed as an internetnetwork interface for example.

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of component modules of a control unitshown in FIG. 2. In the following description, component modules of thecontrol unit in the multimedia device according to one embodiment of thepresent invention are explained.

Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 270 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention may include a demultiplexer 271, a video processor272, an OSD generator 273, a mixer 274, a frame rate converter 275 (FRC)275 and a formatter 276. And, the control unit 270 may further includean audio processor (not shown in the drawing) and a data processor (notshown in the drawing).

The demultiplexer 271 may demultiplex an inputted stream. The videoprocessor 272 may perform a video processing on a demultiplexed videosignal. To this end, the video processor 272 may further include a videodecoder 272a and a scaler 272b.

The video decoder 272a decodes the demultiplexed video signal and thescaler 272b performs a scaling to enable resolution of the decoded videosignal to be outputtable from the display unit 280. And, the videosignal decoded by the video processor 272 is inputted to the mixer 274.

The OSD generator 273 generates an OSD signal in response to a userinput or by itself. For instance, the OSD generator 273 can generate asignal for displaying various information as a graphic or text on ascreen of the display unit 280 based on a control signal from the userinterface unit 250.

The mixer 274 mixes the OSD signal generated from the OSD generator 273and the decoded video signal video-processed by the video processor 272with each other. The mixed signal is provided to the formatter 276.Since a decoded broadcast video signal or an external input signal andan OSD signal are mixed together, an OSD may be displayed in a manner ofoverlaying a broadcast video or an external input video.

The frame rate converter (FRC) 275 can convert a frame rate of aninputted video. For instance, the frame rate converter 275 converts aframe rate to 120 or 240 Hz from 60 Hz. In case that the frame rate of60 Hz is converted to 120 Hz, it is possible to insert a first framebetween the first frame and a second frame or insert a third frame,which is predicted from the first frame and the second frame, betweenthe first frame and the second frame. In case of converting a frame rateof 60 Hz to 240 Hz, it is possible to insert 3 frames of the same or 3predicted frames. Meanwhile, it is possible to maintain an inputtedframe rate without separate conversion.

The formatter 276 receives an input of an output signal of the framerate converter 275 and then outputs the signal by changing a format ofthe signal to fit the display unit 280. For instance, the formatter 276can output R/G/B data signal. In this case, the R/G/B data signal may beoutputted as low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) or mini-LVDS.

Particularly, a multimedia device including a flexible display accordingto one embodiment of the present invention is described as follows.

First of all, the display unit 280 includes a flexible display and canbe rolled up on an outer circumference of a guide bar (not shown in thedrawing). In the display unit 280, a part rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar shall be named a first region and a partfailing to be rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide barshall be named a second region. Since the display unit 280 can be rolledup on the outer circumference of the guide bar, a size of each of thefirst and second regions may vary depending on an extent of the displayunit 280 rolled up on the guide bar. In this case, a screen is situatedwithin the second region failing to be rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar.

The receiving unit 205 receives a content and metadata corresponding tothe content from a source device. In this case, the source device mayinclude one of a broadcasting station, a contents provided, a serviceprovider and the like. In this case, the contents may conceptionallyinclude all contents, which include a broadcast signal, a VOD (video ondemand), an application and the like, receivable from the source device.And, the metadata may include such information as a content name, arunning time, an optimized resolution, an aspect ratio and the like.

The control unit 270 extracts an aspect ratio information of the contentfrom the received metadata. In this case, the aspect ratio means a widthto length ratio of a screen. Using the aspect ratio information, thecontrol unit 270 can obtain a screen aspect ratio optimized for thereceived content.

In accordance with the extract aspect ratio information, the controlunit 270 adjusts a vertical width of the second region of the flexibledisplay. In particular, the control unit 270 adjusts the vertical widthof the second region of the flexible display to fit the extracted aspectratio, thereby enabling a user to watch the content on a full screenwithout a margin or blank. This shall be described in detail withreference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 later.

The adjustment of the vertical width of the second region of theflexible display is performed in a manner of adjusting an extent of theflexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar.If the extent of the flexible display rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display increases, a size of the screendecreases correspondingly. If the extent of the flexible display rolledup on the outer circumference of the flexible display decreases, a sizeof the screen increases correspondingly. Since a horizontal width of theflexible display is already determined depending on a product, it isable to adjust a size of the screen by adjusting the vertical width ofthe flexible display.

Meanwhile, since a hard type display is used according to the related, ablank is left on top, bottom, right and/or left side of a screendepending on an aspect ratio of a screen. Hence, it may cause a problemthat user's immersion is disturbed. Yet, according to the presentinvention, a size of a screen is controlled in a manner that a verticalwidth of a second region of a flexible display is adjusted depending onan aspect ratio optimized for a content, whereby a user can watch thecontent on a full screen without blanks or margins.

Occasionally, a user may desire to watch a content at an aspect ratio ofa screen preferred by the user instead of watching the content at anaspect ratio indicated by an information of a received metadata. In thiscase, the control unit 270 generates a GUI for receiving a commandsignal for selecting an aspect ratio of a screen and then controls thegenerated GUI to be displayed on the flexible display. In particular,the OSD generator 273 in the control unit 270 generates a GUI signal foraspect ratio selection and then delivers the GUI signal to the displayunit 280. If so, the GUI is displayed on the display unit 280. Thecontrol unit 270 adjusts the vertical width of the second region of theflexible display in response to a screen aspect ratio inputted via theGUI. This shall be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10 later.

The storage unit 240 may store a function or a lookup table fordetermining the vertical width of the second region in accordance withthe screen aspect ratio in advance. In response to the screen aspectratio, the control unit 270 detects the function by accessing thestorage unit 240 and then determines the vertical width of the secondregion in accordance with the detected function. Alternatively, inresponse to the screen aspect ratio, the control unit 270 detects avalue in the lookup table by accessing the storage unit 240 and thendetermines the vertical width of the second region in accordance withthe detected value in the lookup table. The control unit 270 detects awidth of the second region in a current state and is then able todetermine whether to further roll up the flexible display on the outercircumference of the guide bar or release a rolled part of the flexibledisplay from the outer circumference of the guide bar in accordance withthe determined width of the second region.

The control unit 270 can determine whether caption data (subtitle imageor text data), OSD data, widget application data or the like existsexcept video data included in the received content. For clarity, thecaption data (subtitle image or text data), the OSD data, the widgetapplication data or the like except video data shall be named subdata.

If a command signal for displaying the video data and the subdataseparately is received through the received content itself or a userinput, the control unit 270 partitions a screen within the flexibledisplay and is then able to control the video data and the subdata to bedisplayed on a first partitioned region and a second partitioned region,respectively, in response to the received command signal. The OSDgenerator 273 in the control unit 270 converts the subdata to an OSDsignal and is then able to deliver it to the second partitioned region.In this case, an aspect ratio of the screen may mean the aspect ratio ofthe first partitioned region for displaying the video data. Hence, thecontrol unit 270 adjusts a vertical width of the second region of theflexible display to match a size of the first partitioned region to theaspect ratio. This shall be described in detail with reference to FIGS.11 to 14 later.

In case that at least two contents are received by the receiving unit205, the control unit 270 partitions a screen within the flexibledisplay into a plurality of partitioned regions and then controls videodata of different contents to be displayed on a plurality of thepartitioned regions, respectively. According to an embodiment, thereceiving unit 205 may include a plurality of tuners 210.

According to an embodiment, the video data in the content received bythe receiving unit 205 may be displayed on the first partitioned regionwithin the screen of the flexible display and a video data within acontent included in a storage medium owned by a user may be displayed onthe second partitioned region within the screen of the flexible display.In this case, the storage medium may include the storage unit 240 of themultimedia device 200 or an external storage medium (e.g., USB memory,etc.) connected to the multimedia device 200 via the external deviceinterface unit 235. This shall be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 15 to 17 later.

While the multimedia device 200 is in the state of the standby mode, alight source of the display unit 280 is turned on in part to play a roleas an illumination. If the multimedia device 200 is in the state of thestandby mode, it may mean that a user does not use a unique function(e.g., a contents view, a search via internet, etc.) of the multimediadevice 200. This shall be described in detail with reference to FIG. 18later.

In case that the multimedia device 200 is paired via network with such adevice as a user's mobile phone, a home phone, an indoor thermometer andthe like, the multimedia device 200 receives informations from thedevices via the internal device interface (i.e., the network interface230) or the external device interface unit 235 and then displays thereceived informations on the display unit 280, thereby play a role inguiding informations. This shall be described in detail with referenceto FIG. 19 later.

The sensor unit 260 can include at least one of an eye recognitionsensor for recognizing a user's eye, a motion recognition sensor forrecognizing a user's motion, a voice recognition sensor for recognizinga user's voice and the like.

In particular, the sensor unit 260 recognizes a user's eye using the eyerecognition sensor and the control unit 270 is then able to adjust aheight of the flexible display to enable a screen of the flexibledisplay to fit a user's eye height. This shall be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 21 later.

The sensor unit 260 recognizes a user's motion using the motionrecognition sensor and the control unit 270 is then able to adjust aheight of the flexible display to enable a screen of the flexibledisplay to be situated at a user-desired height. And, the storage unit240 can store a control signal matching each user's motion. This shallbe described in detail with reference to FIG. 22 later.

The sensor unit 260 recognizes a user's voice using the voicerecognition sensor and the control unit 270 is then able to adjust aheight of the flexible display to enable a screen of the flexibledisplay to be situated at a user-desired height. And, the storage unit240 can store a control signal matching each user's voice.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for another example of component modules of amultimedia device including a flexible display according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In the following description,another example of component modules of a multimedia device including aflexible display according to one embodiment of the present invention isexplained with reference to FIG. 4. A multimedia device 400 shown inFIG. 4 corresponds to the former multimedia device shown in FIGS. 1 to3.

Referring to FIG. 4, a multimedia device 400 may include a networkinterface 401, a TCP/IP manager 402, a service delivery manager 403, ademultiplexer (Demux) 405, a PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404, anaudio decoder 406, a video decoder 407, a display module (Display A/Vand OSD Module) 408, a service control manager 409, a service discoverymanager 410, a metadata manager 412, an SI & Metadata DB 411, a UImanager 414, a service manager 413 and the like. Yet, the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents may be non-limited by thecomponents shown in FIG. 4. And, it is possible to add or deletemodule(s) in the necessity for those skilled in the art.

First of all, the network interface 401 receives packets from a networkand transmits packets to the network. In particular, the networkinterface 401 receives a service, a content and the like from a serviceprovider via the network. And, the network interface 401 corresponds tothe receiving unit 205 shown in FIG. 2.

The TCP/IP manager 402 manages a packet received by the multimediadevice 400 and a packet transmitted by the IPTV 400. In particular, theTCP/IP manager 402 manages a packet delivery from a source to adestination. The TCP/IP manager 402 sorts the received packets tocorrespond to an appropriate protocol and then transmits the sortedpackets to the service delivery manager 405, the service discoverymanager 410, the service control manager 409 and the metadata manager412.

The service delivery manager 403 is responsible for a control of thereceived service data. For instance, in case of controlling real-timestreaming data, the service delivery manager 403 can use RTP/RTCP. Incase of transmitting the real-time streaming data using RTP, the servicedelivery manager 403 parses the received data packet by the RTP and thentransmits the parsed data packet to the demultiplexer 405 or saves theparsed data packet in the SI & Metadata DB 411. And, the servicedelivery manager 403 feeds back the network received data to a serviceside, which provides a service, using the RTCP.

The demultiplexer (Demux) 405 demultiplexes the received packets intoaudio data, video data, PSI (program specific information) data and thelike and then transmits the demultiplexed data to the audio decoder 406,the video decoder 407 and the PSI (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404,respectively.

The PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404 decodes such service informationas PSI (program specific information) and the like for example. Inparticular, the PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404 receives a PSIsection, a PSIP (program and service information protocol) section, anSI (service information) section and the like, which are demultiplexedby the demultiplexer 405, and then decodes the received sections.

Moreover, the PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404 creates a database forthe service information by decoding the received sections and then savesthe database for the service information in the SI & Metadata DB 411. Inthis case, an aspect ratio information of a content may be included inthe decoded service information.

The audio decoder 406 and the video decoder 407 decode the video dataand the audio data, which are received from the demultiplexer 405,respectively. Subsequently, audio data decoded by the audio decoder 406and video data decoded by the video decoder 407 are provided to a userthrough the display module (Display AN and OSD Module) 408.

The UI manager 414 and the service manager 413 manage overall states ofthe multimedia device 400, provide a user interface, and also manageother managers.

The UI manager 414 provides a GUI (graphic user interface) for a userusing an OSD (on screen display) and the like. The UI manager 414receives a key input from the user and then performs a receiveroperation in response to the received input. For instance, if the UImanager 414 receives a key input for a channel selection from the user,the UI manager 414 transmits a corresponding key input signal to theservice manager 413.

The service manager 413 controls such a manager associated with aservice as the service delivery manager 403, the service discoverymanager 410, the service control manager 409, the metadata manager 412and the like.

The service manager 413 creates a channel map and then selects a channelin response to the key input received from the user interface manager414 using the channel map. The service manager 413 receives a serviceinformation of a channel from the PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404 andthen configures an audio/video PID (packet identifier) of the selectedchannel in the demultiplexer 405.

The service discovery manager 410 provides information necessary toselect a service provider that provides a service. In case of receivinga signal related to the channel selection from the service manager 413,the service discovery manager 410 searches services using theinformation.

The service control manager 409 is responsible for a selection andcontrol of a service. For instance, if a user selects a livebroadcasting service of the same existing broadcasting system, theservice control manager 409 uses IGMP, RTSP or the like. In case ofselecting such a service as a VOD (video on demand) service and thelike, the service control manager 409 performs the selection and controlof the service using the RTSP. The RTSP protocol can provide a trickmode for a real-time streaming. And, the service control manager 409 caninitialize and manage a session through an IMC gate using IMS (IPmultimedia subsystem) and SIP (session initiation protocol). The aboveprotocols are provided for example and other protocols are availabledepending on examples of implementations.

The metadata manager 412 manages metadata associated with a service andsaves the metadata in the SI & Metadata DB 411.

The SI & Metadata DB 411 stores the service information decoded by thePSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404, the metadata managed by the metadatamanager 412 and the information necessary to select a service providedby the service discovery manager 410. And, setup data for the system andthe like can be saved in the SI & Metadata DB 411.

The SI & Metadata DB 411 can be implemented using a nonvolatile RAM(NVRAM), a flash memory and/or the like. Meanwhile, the IG 450 includesa gateway in which functions necessary to access an IMS based IPTVservice are collected.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for a further example of component modules of amultimedia device including a flexible display according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In the following description, afurther example of component modules of a multimedia device including aflexible display according to one embodiment of the present invention isexplained with reference to FIG. 5. A multimedia device 500 shown inFIG. 5 corresponds to the former multimedia device shown in FIGS. 1 to4.

Referring to FIG. 5, for example, a multimedia device 500 may include abroadcast interface 501, a section filter 502, an AIT filter 503, anapplication data processor 504, a broadcast data processor 511, a mediaplayer 506, an internet protocol processor 507, an internet interface508, a run time module 509 and the like. Yet, the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents may be non-limited by the components shownin FIG. 5. And, it is possible to add or delete module(s) in thenecessity for those skilled in the art. And, the media player 506 maycorrespond to the display unit 280 shown in FIG. 2.

Through the broadcast interface 501, AIT (application information table)data, real-time broadcast content, application data and stream event arereceived. Meanwhile, the real-time broadcast content can be named alinear A/V content. The broadcast interface 501 corresponds to thereceiving unit 205 shown in FIG. 2.

The section filter 502 performs section filtering on the 4 kinds of datareceived via the broadcast interface 501 and then transmits the AITdata, the linear A/V content and the stream event & application data tothe AIT filter 503, the broadcast data processor 511 and the applicationdata processor 504, respectively.

Meanwhile, through the internet interface 508, a non-linear A/V contentand application data are received. In particular, the non-linear A/Vcontent may include a COD (content on demand) application for example.And, the internet interface 508 corresponds to the receiving unit 205shown in FIG. 2.

The non-linear A/V content is transmitted to the media player 506, whilethe application data is transmitted to the runtime module 509.

Moreover, the runtime module 509 may include an application manager anda browser, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The application managercontrols a life cycle for an interactive application using the AIT datafor example. And, the browser performs a function of displaying andprocessing the interactive application.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exterior of a remote controller configured tocontrol a multimedia device including a flexible display according toone embodiment of the present invention. In the following description,an exterior of a remote controller configured to control a multimediadevice including a flexible display according to one embodiment of thepresent invention is explained with reference to FIG. 6. And, themultimedia device may correspond to the multimedia device shown in FIGS.1 to 5.

Referring to FIG. 6 (a), a pointer 615 corresponding to a remotecontroller 300 is displayed on a screen 610 in a flexible display forexample.

A user is able to move or rotate the remote controller 300 in top andbottom directions, right and left directions [FIG. 6 (b)] and front andrear directions [FIG. 6 (c)]. The pointer 615 displayed on the screen610 in the flexible display responds to a motion of the remotecontroller 300. Since the pointer 615 is displayed by being shifted inresponse to a motion of the remote controller 300 in a 3D space, theremote controller 300 may be named a space remote controller.

In the example shown in FIG. 6 (b) , if a user moves the remotecontroller 300 in the left direction, the pointer 615 displayed on thescreen 610 within the flexible display moves in the left direction inresponse to the motion of the remote controller 300.

Information on the motion of the remote controller 300 sensed by asensor of the remote controller 300 is transmitted to the multimediadevice. Subsequently, the multimedia device can calculate coordinates ofthe pointer 615 from the information on the motion of the remotecontroller 300. The multimedia device is then able to display thepointer 615 to correspond to the calculated coordinates.

In the example shown in FIG. 6 (c), while a specific button in theremote controller 300 is pressed, a user moves the remote controller 300to get away from the multimedia device. Hence, a selected region in thescreen 610 corresponding to the pointer 615 can be enlarged anddisplayed by zoom-in. On the contrary, if a user moves the remotecontroller 300 to get closer to the multimedia device. Hence, a selectedregion in the screen 610 corresponding to the pointer 615 can be reducedand displayed by zoom-out. On the other hand, if the remote controller300 gets away from the multimedia device, a selected region may zoomout. If the remote controller 300 gets closer to the multimedia device,a selected region may zoom in.

FIG. 7 is a detailed diagram of inner component modules of a remotecontroller configured to control a multimedia device including aflexible display according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a remote controller 300 may include a wirelesscommunication unit 325, a user input unit 335, a sensor unit 340, anoutput unit 350, a power supply unit 360, a storage unit 370 and acontrol unit 380 for example.

The wireless communication unit 325 transceives signals with amultimedia device 700. And, the multimedia device 700 may correspond tothe multimedia device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

According to the present embodiment, the remote controller 300 mayinclude an RF module 321 configured to transceive signals with themultimedia device 700 by RF communication protocol. And, the remotecontroller 300 may include an IR module 323 configured to transceivesignals with the multimedia device 700 by IR communication protocol.

According to the present embodiment, the remote controller 300 transmitsa signal containing an information on a motion of the remote controller300 and the like to the multimedia device 700 via the RF module 321.

The remote controller 300 can receive a signal transmitted by themultimedia device 700 via the RF module 321 as well. And, the remotecontroller 300 can transmit a command for power-on/off, channelswitching, volume adjustment or the like to the multimedia device 700via the IR module 323 if necessary.

The user input unit 335 may include at least one of a keypad, buttons, atouchpad, a touchscreen and the like. A user is able to input a commandassociated with the multimedia device 700 to the remote controller 300by manipulating the user input unit 335. The sensor unit 340 may includeat least one of a gyro sensor 341 and an acceleration sensor 343. Inparticular, the gyro sensor 341 is configured to sense the informationon the motion of the remote controller 300.

For instance, the gyro sensor 341 can sense the information on an actionof the remote controller 300 with reference to x-, y- and z-axes. And,the acceleration sensor 343 can sense the information on a moving speedof the remote controller 300 and the like. Meanwhile, the sensor unit340 may further include a distance measurement sensor configured tosense a distance from the multimedia device 700.

The output unit 350 can output a video or audio signal corresponding tothe manipulation on the user input unit 335 or to the signal transmittedby the multimedia device 700. Through the output unit 350, a user canrecognize whether the user input unit 335 is manipulated or whether themultimedia device 700 is controlled.

For instance, the output unit 350 may include at least one of an LEDmodule 351, which is turned on if the user input unit 335 is manipulatedor a signal is transceived with the multimedia device 700 via thewireless communication unit 325, a vibration module 353, which generatesvibration if the user input unit 335 is manipulated or a signal istransceived with the multimedia device 700 via the wirelesscommunication unit 325, an audio (sound) output module 355, whichoutputs an audio if the user input unit 335 is manipulated or a signalis transceived with the multimedia device 700 via the wirelesscommunication unit 325, and a display module 357, which outputs a videoor image if the user input unit 335 is manipulated or a signal istransceived with the multimedia device 700 via the wirelesscommunication unit 325.

The power supply unit 360 supplies a power to the remote controller 300.If the remote controller 300 does not move for a prescribed duration,the power supply unit 360 can save power consumption by stopping a powersupply. If a prescribed key provided to the remote controller 300 ismanipulated, the power supply unit 360 resumes the power supply.

The storage unit 370 can store various kinds of programs, applicationdata and the like, which are required for controls and/or operations ofthe remote controller 300. If the remote controller 300 transceivessignals with the multimedia device 700 via the RF module 321 bywireless, signals are transceived on a prescribed frequency band betweenthe remote controller 300 and the multimedia device 700. The controlunit 380 of the remote controller 300 can save information on afrequency band for transceiving signals with the multimedia device 700paired with the remote controller 300 by wireless and the like in thestorage unit 370 and is then able to refer to the saved information.

The control unit 380 controls all particulars related to the controls ofthe remote controller 300. The control unit 380 can transmit a signalcorresponding to a prescribed key manipulation of the user input unit335 or a signal corresponding to a motion of the remote controller 300sensed by the sensor unit 340 to the multimedia device 700 via thewireless communication unit 325.

In particular, the present invention is characterized in that a userinterface unit of a multimedia device according to one embodiment of thepresent embodiment is designed to receive a command signal from theremote controller 300 that transmits an input signal attributed to auser's motion.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to one embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a multimedia device 800 according to one embodimentof the present invention may include a guide bar 810 and a flexibledisplay 820 supported by the guide bar 810. In the flexible display 820,a part of the flexible display 820 rolled up on an outer circumferenceof the guide bar 810 shall be named a first region and a part of theflexible display 820 not rolled up on the outer circumference of theflexible display 820 shall be named a second region 830. A screen issituated in the second region 830 of the flexible display 820 not rolledup on the outer circumference of the guide bar 820.

The multimedia device 800 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from a source device and then extracts an aspect ratioinformation from the received metadata. In this case, an aspect ratiomeans a width to length ratio of a screen. Using the aspect ratioinformation, it is able to obtain an aspect ratio of a screen optimizedfor the received content.

The multimedia device 800 adjusts a vertical width W1 of the secondregion 830 of the flexible display 820 in accordance with the extractedaspect ratio information. In particular, the adjustment of the verticalwidth W1 of the second region 830 is performed in a manner of adjustingan extent of rolling up the flexible display 820 on an outercircumference of the guide bar 810.

As a result of the aspect ratio information extracted from the receivedmetadata by the multimedia device 800, assume that an aspect ratio ofthe screen optimized for the content is 21:9.

In a storage unit of the multimedia device 800, a function or lookuptable for determining the vertical width W1 of the second region 830 maybe saved in advance in accordance with the aspect ratio of the screen ofthe flexible display 820.

The multimedia device 800 extracts the aspect ratio information of thescreen optimized for the content and then detects the function or avalue in the lookup table by accessing the storage unit. Subsequently,the multimedia device 800 determines the vertical width W1 of the secondregion 830 using the detected function or value in the lookup table.

Subsequently, the multimedia device 800 detects a vertical width W1 ofthe second region 830 in a current state and is then able to determinewhether to decrease the vertical width W1 of the second region 830 byrolling up the flexible display 820 on the outer circumference of theguide bar 810 or increase the vertical width W1 of the second region 830by unrolling the part of the flexible display 820 rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar 810, depending on the determined verticalwidth W1 of the second region 830.

According to the present invention, since a size of the screen withinthe flexible display 820 can be adjusted to fit the aspect ratio of 21:9optimized for the received content, a user can watch the content on afull screen without margin to increase user's immersion in the content.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a multimedia device 900 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 910 and aflexible display 920 supported by the guide bar 910. In the flexibledisplay 920, a part of the flexible display 920 rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar 910 shall be named a first region and apart of the flexible display 920 not rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display 920 shall be named a second region930. A screen is situated in the second region 930 of the flexibledisplay 920 not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar920.

The multimedia device 900 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from a source device and then extracts an aspect ratioinformation from the received metadata.

According to the present embodiment, assume a case that the user watchesthe received content shown in FIG. 9 in the course of watching theformer content shown in FIG. 8. And, assume that a result of theextraction of the aspect ratio information extracted from the receivedmetadata by the multimedia device 900 indicates that an aspect ratio ofa screen optimized for the content is 16:9.

The multimedia device 900 extracts the aspect ratio information of thescreen optimized for the content and then detects the function or avalue in the lookup table by accessing the storage unit. Subsequently,the multimedia device 900 determines the vertical width W2 of the secondregion 930 using the detected function or value in the lookup table.

Subsequently, the multimedia device 900 detects a vertical width W2 ofthe second region 930 in a current state. Since the content of theformer embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is assumed as currently watched, thevertical width W2 of the second region 930 in the current state may beequal to the vertical width W1 shown in FIG. 8. In particular, since thesecond region 930 in the current state is made to fit the aspect ratioof 21:9, as shown in FIG. 8, the multimedia device 900 increases thevertical width W2 of the second region 930 by unrolling the part of theflexible display 920 rolled up on the outer circumference of the guidebar 910 in accordance with the determined vertical width W2 of thesecond region 930.

Therefore, the multimedia device according to the present inventionautomatically adjusts a size of the screen within the flexible displaydepending on the aspect ratio of the screen optimized for the contentdespite a type of the content is changed, whereby a user can watch thecontent on a full screen without a margin.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for one example of a GUI displayed on a screen in amultimedia device according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention displays a GUI 1000 for receiving acommand signal for selecting an aspect ratio of a screen within aflexible display.

A user may desire to watch a content at an aspect ratio of a screenpreferred by the user without using an aspect ratio information includedin a received metadata. In this case, the multimedia device displays theGUI 1000 on the screen within the flexible display and then receives auser selection for an aspect ratio of the screen.

In particular, the user selects the aspect ratio of the screen in amanner of selecting one of check boxes 1011 to 1014 corresponding tovarious aspect ratios included in the GUI 1000, respectively. In moreparticular, the user shifts a pointer 1020, which corresponds to amotion of the remote controller 300, to one of the check boxes 1011 to1014 and is then able to select an aspect ratio, using the remotecontroler 300 described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

In case that the user selects a direct input menu 1014, the user caninput a width to length ratio of a screen to an input window 1030 usingnumerals. According to the present embodiment, a numeral pad forinputting numerals to the input window 1030 may be included in the GUI1000.

If a user input for an aspect ratio of a screen is made through the GUI1000, the multimedia device adjusts a vertical width of a second regionof the flexible display in accordance with the user input instead ofaspect ratio information in metadata.

Meanwhile, it may happen that an aspect ratio information optimized fora content is not included in metadata of the content received by themultimedia device. In this case, the multimedia device can adjust avertical width of the second region of the flexible display inaccordance with an aspect ratio inputted by a user.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, a multimedia device 1100 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1110 and aflexible display 1120 supported by the guide bar 1110. In the flexibledisplay 1120, a part of the flexible display 1120 rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar 1110 shall be named a first region and apart of the flexible display 1120 not rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display 1120 shall be named a secondregion 1130. A screen is situated in the second region 1130 of theflexible display 1120 not rolled up on the outer circumference of theguide bar 1120.

The multimedia device 1100 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from a source device.

The multimedia device 1100 detects whether a caption data (e.g., asubtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except video data included inthe received content.

The multimedia device 1100 determines whether a separation commandsignal for displaying the video data and the caption data in a manner ofseparating the video data and the caption data from each other isreceived by being included in the received content or through a userinput.

In response to the received separation command signal, the multimediadevice 1100 partitions a screen within the second region 1130 of theflexible display 1120 and then controls the video data and the captiondata to be displayed on a first partitioned region 1131 and a secondpartitioned region 1132, respectively.

In this case, an aspect ratio of the screen means an aspect ratio of thefirst partitioned region 1131 for displaying the video data thereon.Hence, in case of receiving the separation command signal, themultimedia device 1100 adjusts a vertical width W3 of the second region1130 of the flexible display 1120 to enable a size of the firstpartitioned region 1131 to match the aspect ratio. In particular, themultimedia device 1100 adjusts the vertical width W3 of the secondregion 1130 of the flexible display 1120 in a manner of adding avertical width W5 for the second partitioned region 1132 by enabling thesize of the first partitioned region 1131 to match the aspect ratio.

Regarding a method of determining an aspect ratio of a screen, asmentioned in the foregoing description, an aspect ratio information canbe extracted from a received metadata or an aspect ratio selectingsignal can be inputted by a user through a GUI.

Regarding the adjustment of the vertical width W3 of the second region1130 of the flexible display 1120, a vertical width W4 of the firstpartitioned region 1131 is determined using the function or value in thelookup table detected from the storage unit in accordance with theaspect ratio of the screen and the vertical width W5 of the secondpartitioned region 1132 is then added to the vertical width W4 of thefirst partitioned region 1131. In this case, as the vertical width W5 ofthe second partitioned region 1132, a preset value may be saved in thestorage unit to prepare for a case of a presence of caption data.

According to the present invention, if there is a caption data to bedisplayed in a manner of being separated from a video data, a screenregion is facilitated to increase in a manner of unrolling the flexibledisplay 1120 rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar 1110and the video data and the caption data are separately displayed.Therefore, the present invention can solve the problem that an image isblocked by a caption.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, a multimedia device 1200 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1210 and aflexible display 1220 supported by the guide bar 1210. In the flexibledisplay 1220, a part of the flexible display 1220 rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar 1210 shall be named a first region and apart of the flexible display 1220 not rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display 1220 shall be named a secondregion 1230. A screen is situated in the second region 1230 of theflexible display 1220 not rolled up on the outer circumference of theguide bar 1220.

The multimedia device 1200 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from a source device.

The multimedia device 1200 detects whether a caption data (e.g., asubtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except video data included inthe received content. In doing so, the multimedia device 1200 can detectthe number of caption data.

The multimedia device 1200 detects whether a caption data (e.g., asubtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except the video data includedin the received content. According to the present embodiment, assume acase that a plurality of caption data respectively consisting of aplurality of languages exist.

The multimedia device 1200 determines whether a separation commandsignal for displaying the video data and the caption data in a manner ofseparating the video data and the caption data from each other isreceived by being included in the received content or through a userinput.

In response to the received separation command signal, the multimediadevice 1200 partitions a screen within the second region 1230 of theflexible display 1220 and then controls the video data and the captiondata to be displayed on a first partitioned region 1231 and a secondpartitioned region 1232, respectively.

In this case, an aspect ratio of the screen means an aspect ratio of thefirst partitioned region 1231 for displaying the video data thereon.Hence, in case of receiving the separation command signal, themultimedia device 1200 adjusts a vertical width W3 of the second region1230 of the flexible display 1220 to enable a size of the firstpartitioned region 1231 to match the aspect ratio. In particular, themultimedia device 1200 adjusts the vertical width W3 of the secondregion 1230 of the flexible display 1220 in a manner of adding avertical width W5 for the second partitioned region 1232 by enabling thesize of the first partitioned region 1231 to match the aspect ratio.

Regarding the adjustment of the vertical width W3 of the second region1230 of the flexible display 1220, a vertical width W4 of the firstpartitioned region 1231 is determined using the function or value in thelookup table detected from the storage unit in accordance with theaspect ratio of the screen and the vertical width W5 of the secondpartitioned region 1232 is then added to the vertical width W4 of thefirst partitioned region 1231. In this case, the vertical width W5 ofthe second partitioned region 1232 is set wider than that of a case ofone caption data. As the vertical width W5 of the second partitionedregion 1232, a preset value may be saved in the storage unit to preparefor a case that the caption data consisting of a plurality of languagesneed to be simultaneously displayed.

According to a related art, when a content is watched in a manner that acaption in Korean and a caption in English are simultaneously displayeddue to a language study or the like, it may cause a problem that user'simmersion in the content is degraded due to a considerable size occupiedby the caption data displayed by overlaying the screen.

According to the present invention, in case that a plurality of captiondata respectively consisting of a plurality of languages exist, a screenregion can be easily increased by unrolling the flexible display 1220rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar 1210. And, aplurality of the caption data are simultaneously displayed by beingseparated from the video data. Therefore, the present invention cansolve the problem that an image is blocked by a caption.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, a multimedia device 1300 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1310 and aflexible display 1320 supported by the guide bar 1310. In the flexibledisplay 1320, a part of the flexible display 1320 rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar 1310 shall be named a first region and apart of the flexible display 1320 not rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display 1320 shall be named a secondregion 1330. A screen is situated in the second region 1330 of theflexible display 1320 not rolled up on the outer circumference of theguide bar 1320.

The multimedia device 1300 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from a source device.

The multimedia device 1300 determines whether a partition command signalfor partitioning the screen of the flexible display 1320 is receivedthrough a user input.

In response to the received partition command signal, the multimediadevice 1300 partitions a screen within the second region 1330 of theflexible display 1320 and then controls a video data and a setup data tobe displayed on a first partitioned region 1331 and a second partitionedregion 1332, respectively. In this case, the setup data means variouskinds of data corresponding to such a signal for configuring anenvironment of the multimedia device 1300 as a volume control signalinputted by a user, a channel information signal, a screen brightnesscontrol signal and the like. According to an embodiment, if a controlsignal for displaying the setup data is detected, the multimedia device1300 may recognize the control signal as the partition command signal.

In this case, an aspect ratio of the screen means an aspect ratio of thefirst partitioned region 1331 for displaying the video data thereon.Hence, in case of receiving the partition command signal, the multimediadevice 1300 adjusts a vertical width W3 of the second region 1330 of theflexible display 1320 to enable a size of the first partitioned region1331 to match the aspect ratio. In particular, the multimedia device1300 adjusts the vertical width W3 of the second region 1330 of theflexible display 1320 in a manner of adding a vertical width W5 for thesecond partitioned region 1332 by enabling the size of the firstpartitioned region 1331 to match the aspect ratio.

Regarding the adjustment of the vertical width W3 of the second region1330 of the flexible display 1320, a vertical width W4 of the firstpartitioned region 1331 is determined using the function or value in thelookup table detected from the storage unit in accordance with theaspect ratio of the screen and the vertical width W5 of the secondpartitioned region 1332 is then added to the vertical width W4 of thefirst partitioned region 1331. In this case, as the vertical width W5 ofthe second partitioned region 1332, a preset value may be saved in thestorage unit to prepare for a case of a presence of a user input fordisplaying the setup data separately.

According to the related art, when a user adjusts a volume and the likein the course of watching a content, since a setup data corresponding toa volume control signal is displayed by overlaying the video data, itmay cause a problem that user's immersion in the content is degraded.

According to the present invention, since a setup data can be displayedseparately from a video data in a manner of partitioning a screen withina flexible display, the present invention can solve the problem that animage is blocked by the setup data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, a multimedia device 1400 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1410 and aflexible display 1420 supported by the guide bar 1410. In the flexibledisplay 1420, a part of the flexible display 1420 rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar 1410 shall be named a first region and apart of the flexible display 1420 not rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display 1420 shall be named a secondregion 1430. A screen is situated in the second region 1430 of theflexible display 1420 not rolled up on the outer circumference of theguide bar 1420.

The multimedia device 1400 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from a source device. According to the presentembodiment, assume a case that the multimedia device 1400 receiveswidget application data of weather, stock market information and thelike from an external server.

The multimedia device 1400 determines whether a partition command signalfor partitioning the screen of the flexible display 1420 is receivedthrough a user input.

In response to the received partition command signal, the multimediadevice 1400 partitions a screen within the second region 1430 of theflexible display 1420 and then controls a video data and the widgetapplication data to be displayed on a first partitioned region 1431 anda second partitioned region 1432, respectively.

According to the present invention, if a user intends to know theweather or stock market information by real time in the course ofwatching the content, a screen for displaying the widget applicationdata can be easily secured in a manner of increasing a screen region byunrolling the flexible display 1420 rolled up on the outer circumferenceof the guide bar 1420. Moreover, since a region for displaying the videodata and a region for displaying the widget application data areseparately provided within the content, it is advantageous in thatuser's immersion in the content can be maintained.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are diagrams of a multimedia device according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, a multimedia device 1500 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1510 and aflexible display 1520 supported by the guide bar 1510. In the flexibledisplay 1520, a part of the flexible display 1520 rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar 1510 shall be named a first region and apart of the flexible display 1520 not rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display 1520 shall be named a secondregion 1530. A screen is situated in the second region 1530 of theflexible display 1520 not rolled up on the outer circumference of theguide bar 1520.

The multimedia device 1500 receives a plurality of contents and aplurality of metadata respectively corresponding to a plurality of thecontents from a source device. In particular, the multimedia device 1500may receive a plurality of contents from source devices of the same kind(e.g., a case of receiving two broadcast programs from two broadcastingstations, respectively). Alternatively, the multimedia device 1500 mayreceive a plurality of contents from a plurality of different sourcedevices, respectively (e.g., a case of receiving a broadcast programsignal from a broadcasting station and a VOD content from an IP server).

The multimedia device 1500 determines whether a partition command signalfor partitioning the screen of the flexible display 1520 is receivedthrough a user input. In case of intending to watch a plurality ofcontents simultaneously, a user can transmit the partition commandsignal to the multimedia device 1500 using a remote controller.According to the present embodiment, assume a case that a user intendsto watch two contents simultaneously.

In response to the received partition command signal, the multimediadevice 1400 partitions a screen within the second region 1530 of theflexible display 1520 and then controls a video data of a first contentand a video data of a second content to be displayed on a firstpartitioned region 1531 and a second partitioned region 1532,respectively. In doing so, an audio data of the first content isoutputted through an audio output unit built in the multimedia device1500 and an audio data of the second content may be outputted through anexternal audio output device (e.g., earphones, etc.) connected via anexternal device interface unit of the multimedia device 1500.

The multimedia device 1500 can determine a vertical width W6 of theflexible display 1530, a horizontal width W7 of the first partitionedregion 1531 and a horizontal width W8 of the second partitioned region1532 in accordance with an aspect ratio of a screen. In this case, theaspect ratio of the screen may include an aspect ratio included in thereceived content or an aspect ratio selected by a user through a GUI. Incase that a user selects an aspect ratio through the GUI, the user mayselect aspect ratios for a plurality of contents, respectively.Alternatively, the user may select an aspect ratio for one content onlyand can use aspect ratio information included in the metadata foranother content.

The following description is made on the assumption of a case ofobtaining an information indicating that an aspect ratio optimized for afirst content is 21:9 from a metadata corresponding to the first contentand obtaining an information indicating that an aspect ratio optimizedfor a second content is 16:9 from a metadata corresponding to the secondcontent.

First of all, based on a horizontal width rate included in the aspectratio information of the first content and a horizontal width rateincluded in the aspect ratio information of the second content, themultimedia device 1500 determines the horizontal width W7 of the firstpartitioned region 1531 and the horizontal width W8 of the secondpartitioned region 1532. In case of applying the same screen partitionunit to each of the first content and the second content, the horizontalwidth W7 of the first partitioned region 1531 and the horizontal widthW8 of the second partitioned region 1532 may correspond to a ratio of21:16 on a total horizontal width of the flexible display 1520.

Once the multimedia device 1500 determines the horizontal width W7 ofthe first partitioned region 1531 and the horizontal width W8 of thesecond partitioned region 1532, the multimedia device 1500 determinesthe vertical width W6 of the second region 1530 of the flexible display1520. In particular, it is able to determine the vertical width W6 ofthe second region 1530 of the flexible display 1520 using an aspectratio information corresponding to one of the first and second contents,which requires a screen having a greater vertical width. FIG. 15 showsone example of a case that each of the first and second contents needs ascreen of the same vertical width. FIG. 16 shows one example of a casethat the second contents needs a screen of a vertical width greater thanthat of a screen of the first content. In case of FIG. 16, margins mayexist on top and bottom ends of the first partitioned region 1531 fordisplaying the video data of the first content.

Alternatively, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, when video data inthe first content is displayed on a first partitioned region 1531, themultimedia device 1500 can display the video data in the first contentin a manner that a margin exists on a top or bottom side of the firstpartitioned region 1531 only by a preset condition. For instance, when achild intends to watch the video data in the first content, the videodata in the first content may be displayed in a manner of incliningtoward the bottom side in the first portioned region 1531. The presetcondition may include a condition for receiving a command signal forselecting a display region of the video data in the first content withinthe first partitioned region from a user or a condition for receiving acontrol signal outputted to the controller by a sensor configured tosense user's eye(s).

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, a multimedia device 1700 according to anotherembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1710 and aflexible display 1720 supported by the guide bar 1710. In the flexibledisplay 1720, a part of the flexible display 1720 rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar 1710 shall be named a first region and apart of the flexible display 1720 not rolled up on the outercircumference of the flexible display 1720 shall be named a secondregion 1730. A screen is situated in the second region 1730 of theflexible display 1720 not rolled up on the outer circumference of theguide bar 1720.

The multimedia device 1700 receives a content and metadata correspondingto the content from a source device. According to the presentembodiment, assume a case that a plurality of contents are received.And, assume a case that a first command signal for partitioning a screenis received from a user to watch a plurality of the contentssimultaneously.

The multimedia device 1700 determines whether a caption data (e.g., asubtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except the video data includedin the received content.

The multimedia device 1700 determines whether a second command signalfor displaying the video data and the caption data in a manner ofseparating the video data and the caption data from each other isreceived by being included in the received content or through a userinput.

In response to the received first and second command signals, themultimedia device 1700 partitions a screen within the second region 1730of the flexible display 1720 and then controls a video data of a firstcontent, a video data of a second content and a video data of a thirdcontent to be displayed on a first partitioned region 1731, a secondpartitioned region 1732 and a third partitioned region 1733,respectively.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, a multimedia device 1800 according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention controls a light source of aflexible display 1820 to be turned on in part in standby mode, therebyenabling the flexible display 1820 to play a role as an illumination(e.g., an indirect illumination, a mood illumination, etc.). If themultimedia device 1800 is in the standby mode, it may mean a case that auser does not use a function (e.g., a content watching, a search viainternet, etc.) unique to the multimedia device 1800. And, the user isable to adjust a vertical width of the second region 1830 of theflexible display 1820 by controlling a desired extent of the flexibledisplay 1820 rolled up on an outer circumference of a guide bar 1810.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another furtherembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19, when a multimedia device 1900 according to anotherfurther embodiment of the present invention is in standby mode, themultimedia device 1900 can play a role as an information guide indisplaying information received from another indoor home device or aportable or mobile device of a user. In doing so, assume that themultimedia device 1900 is paired with the indoor home device or theuser's portable device.

The multimedia device 1900 is able to receive such information as apresence or non-presence of an absent call, a current weatherinformation, an inner-house temperature and the like from the pairedindoor home device (e.g., a phone, a thermometer, an illumination, etc.)or the paired portable device (e.g., a mobile phone, etc.) of the user.The multimedia device 1900 processes the received information intographic data or text data and is then able to display the processed datathrough a flexible display 1920. And, the user is able to adjust avertical width of a second region 1930 of the flexible display 1920 bycontrolling a desired extent of the flexible display 1920 rolled up onan outer circumference of a guide bar 1910.

FIG. 20 is a diagram to describe one example of adjusting a height of amultimedia device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20, a multimedia device 2000 according to oneembodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 2010 and aflexible display 2020 supported by the guide bar 2010.

The guide bar 2010 is installed as height-adjustable. For instance, astring 2030 may be attached to the guide bar 2010 to adjust a height ofthe guide bar 2010. A user can adjust the height of the guide bar 2010by adjusting a length of the string 2030. Hence, the user is able towatch a content while a height of the flexible display 2020 is adjustedto fit user's eye level.

According to an embodiment, a distance detecting sensor (not shown inthe drawing) may be provided to each of a top and bottom of the guidebar 2010. If the guide bar 2010 ascends in a predetermined distance froma ceiling or descends in a predetermined distance from a ground, thedistance detecting sensor senses the corresponding ascent or descent tostop the ascent or descent of the guide bar 2010.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device having asensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 21, a multimedia device 2100 according to oneembodiment of present invention may include a guide bar 2110 and aflexible display 2120 supported by the guide bar 2110.

The multimedia device 2100 includes a sensor S for recognizing user'seye(s). The multimedia device 2100 recognizes the user's eye through thesensor S and is then able to adjust a height of the guide bar 2110 tocontrol the sensor S and the user's eye to be situated in parallel witheach other on the same level. If the sensor S and the user's eye aresituated in parallel with each other on the same level, it may mean thatthe sensor S and the user's eye just need to be situated in a preseterror range without being exactly situated on 180° line. For instance,the height of the guide bar 2110 can be adjusted by a length of a string2130 attached to the guide bar 2110.

According to the present invention, the heights of the guide bar 2110and the flexible display 2120 can be automatically adjusted to fit theuser's eye level, whereby user's convenience can be enhanced.

In the description with reference to FIG. 21, the sensor S includes asensor configured to recognize user's eye(s). Alternatively, a sensorfor recognizing a user's face is available as well. In the descriptionwith reference to FIG. 21, the sensor S is provided to a center of abottom end of the flexible display 2120. Alternatively, a location ofthe sensor S is variable depending on an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram for another example of a multimedia device having asensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 22, a multimedia device 2200 according to oneembodiment of present invention may include a guide bar 2210 and aflexible display 2220 supported by the guide bar 2210.

The multimedia device 2200 may include a motion recognition sensor (notshown in the drawing) configured to recognize a user's motion. Themultimedia device 2200 recognizes a user's motion using the motionrecognition sensor and is then able to adjust a height of the guide bar2210 in response to a control signal corresponding to the recognizedmotion. And, the control signal corresponding to the user's motion canbe saved in a storage unit of the multimedia device 2200 in advance.

For instance, assume a case that a first motion, which is performed in amanner that a user raises a hand or arm of the user upward, is saved bymatching a first control signal of lifting up the guide bar 2210. And,assume a case that a second motion, which is performed in a manner thata user lowers down a hand or arm of the user, is saved by matching asecond control signal of lifting down the guide bar 2210.

If a user takes the first motion, the multimedia device 2200 detects thefirst motion through the motion recognition sensor and then adjusts aheight of the flexible display 2220 by lifting up the guide bar 2210 inresponse to the first control signal. If a user takes the second motion,the multimedia device 2200 detects the second motion through the motionrecognition sensor and then adjusts a height of the flexible display2220 by lifting down the guide bar 2210 in response to the secondcontrol signal. For instance, the height adjustment of the guide bar2210 can be adjusted by the length of the string 2230 attached to theguide bar 2210.

According to the present invention, since a user can adjust the heightsof the guide bar 2210 and the flexible display 2220 to fit a user's eyelevel by simply taking an intuitive motion, user's convenience can beenhanced.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for a method of controlling a multimedia deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 23, a multimedia device receives a content andmetadata corresponding to the content from a source device [S2310].Subsequently, the multimedia device determines whether there is a userinput for setting an aspect ratio of a screen [S2320]. If there is theuser input for setting the aspect ratio of the screen, the multimediadevice adjusts a size of the screen by adjusting an extent of a flexibledisplay rolled up on an outer circumference of a guide bar in accordancewith the inputted aspect ratio [S2340]. On the contrary, if there is nouser input for setting the aspect ratio of the screen, the multimediadevice extracts an aspect ratio information from the received metadata[S2330] and then adjusts a size of the screen by adjusting an extent ofthe flexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of the guidebar in accordance with the extracted aspect ratio information [S2340].Optionally, the step of determining whether there is the user input forsetting the aspect ratio of the screen may be skipped and the step S2330can be performed in direct, depending on an embodiment.

Although the description of the present invention is explained withreference to each of the accompanying drawings for clarity, it ispossible to design new embodiment(s) by merging the embodiments shown inthe accompanying drawings with each other. And, if a recording mediumreadable by a computer, in which programs for executing the embodimentsmentioned in the foregoing description are recorded, is designed innecessity of those skilled in the art, it may belong to the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

A multimedia device and operating method thereof according to thepresent invention may be non-limited by the configurations and methodsof the embodiments mentioned in the foregoing description. And, theembodiments mentioned in the foregoing description can be configured ina manner of being selectively combined with one another entirely or inpart to enable various modifications.

Meanwhile, a method of operating a multimedia device according to thepresent invention can be implemented with processor-readable codes in aprocessor-readable recording medium provided to a network device. Theprocessor-readable medium may include all kinds of recording devicescapable of storing data readable by a processor. The processor-readablemedium may include one of ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppydiscs, optical data storage devices, and the like for example and alsoinclude such a carrier-wave type implementation as a transmission viaInternet. Furthermore, as the processor-readable recording medium isdistributed to a computer system connected via network,processor-readable codes can be saved and executed according to adistributive system.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Both apparatus and method inventions are mentioned in this specificationand descriptions of both of the apparatus and method inventions may becomplementarily applicable to each other.

The present invention relates to a multimedia device including aflexible display and controlling method thereof. Therefore, the presentinvention has industrial applicability.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A multimedia device comprising: a guidebar; a flexible display configured to be rolled up on an outercircumference of the guide bar, the flexible display having a firstregion rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar and asecond region not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar;a receiver configured to receive a content and metadata corresponding tothe content from a source device; and a control unit adjustingconfigured to adjust a vertical width of the second region of theflexible display in accordance with a preset condition, wherein thecontrol unit extracts is configured to extract an aspect ratioinformation from the received metadata and determines determine thevertical width of the second region of the flexible display inaccordance with the extracted aspect ratio information, wherein themultimedia device is configured to: display video data in the receivedcontent on a first partitioned region of the second region, and displaycaption data on a second partitioned region of the second region if thecaption data is included in the received metadata, and display, in astandby mode, information received from another indoor home device, aportable device or a mobile device on the second partitioned region ofthe second region, and wherein the second partitioned region of thesecond region is not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guidebar in the standby mode, and the vertical width of the second region isminimized made smaller in the standby mode such that only the secondpartitioned region of the second region is not rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar.
 2. The multimedia device of claim 1,further comprising a storage unit configured to store a function orlookup table for determining the vertical width of the second region inaccordance with an aspect ratio of a screen within the second region ofthe flexible display, wherein the control unit detects is configured todetect the function or a value in the lookup table by accessing thestorage unit and then determines determine the vertical width of thesecond region of the flexible display using the detected function orvalue in the lookup table.
 3. The multimedia device of claim 1, furthercomprising a user interface configured to receive a command signal forselecting an aspect ratio of a screen within the second region of theflexible display, wherein the control unit determines is configured todetermine the vertical width of the second region of the flexibledisplay in accordance with the received command signal.
 4. Themultimedia device of claim 1, wherein the guide bar is installed toenable a height adjustment.
 5. The multimedia device of claim 4, furthercomprising a sensor configured to sense a user's eye, wherein thecontrol unit adjusts is configured to adjust a height of the guide barto enable the sensor and the user's eye to be situated in parallel witheach other on a same level.
 6. The multimedia device of claim 1, whereina screen with the second region of the flexible display comprises atleast one of the first partitioned region and the second partitionedregion.
 7. The multimedia device of claim 6 1, wherein if the captiondata is included in the received metadata, the control unit controls isconfigured to display the video data in the received content and thecaption data to be displayed on the first partitioned region and thesecond partitioned region, respectively.
 8. The multimedia device ofclaim 6 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive at least twocontents, and wherein the control unit controls is configured to displayvideo data of the at least two contents to be displayed on the firstpartitioned region and the second partitioned region, respectively.
 9. Amethod of controlling a multimedia device, which includes a controlunit, a guide bar and a flexible display configured to be rolled up onan outer circumference of the guide bar, the method comprising:receiving a content and metadata corresponding to the content from asource device; extracting, via the control unit, an aspect ratioinformation from the received metadata; determining, via the controlunit, a vertical width of a region in the flexible display not rolled upon the outer circumstance circumference of the guide bar in accordancewith the extracted aspect ratio information; adjusting an extent of theflexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of the flexibledisplay guide bar in accordance with the extracted aspect ratioinformation; displaying video data in the received content on a firstpartitioned region of the region in the flexible display, and displayingcaption data on a second partitioned region of the region in theflexible display not rolled up on the outer circumstance circumferenceof the guide bar if the caption data is included in the receivedmetadata; and displaying, in a standby mode, information received fromanother indoor home device, a portable device, or a mobile device on thesecond partitioned region of the region in the flexible display notrolled up on the outer circumstance circumference of the guide bar,wherein the second partitioned region is not rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar in the standby mode, and the region inthe flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumstance of theguide bar is minimized in the standby mode vertical width of the regionof the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumference of theguide bar is made smaller in the standby mode such that only the secondpartitioned region of the region is not rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising saving a function or lookup table for determining thevertical width of the region in the flexible display not rolled up onthe outer circumference of the guide bar in accordance with an aspectratio of a screen in the flexible display in a storage unit.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, the adjusting the extent of the flexible displayrolled up on the outer circumference of the flexible display,comprising: detecting the function or a value in the lookup table byaccessing the storage unit; and determining the vertical width of theregion in the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumferenceof the guide bar using the detected function or value in the lookuptable.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: sensing a user'seye using a sensor; and adjusting a height of the guide bar to enablethe sensor and the user's eye to be situated in parallel with each otheron a same level.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:detecting the caption data from the received metadata; and if thecaption data is detected, controlling the video data of the receivedcontent and the caption data to be displayed on the first partitionedregion of the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar and the second partitioned region of theregion of the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumferenceof the guide bar, respectively.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein atleast two caption data are detected from the received metadata.
 15. Amethod of controlling a multimedia device, which includes a controlunit, a guide bar and a flexible display configured to be rolled up onan outer circumference of the guide bar, the method comprising:receiving a content and metadata corresponding to the content from asource device; receiving a command signal for selecting an aspect ratioof a screen in the flexible display; extracting, via the control unit,an aspect ratio information from the received metadata; determining, viathe control unit, a vertical width of a region in the flexible displaynot rolled up on the outer circumstance circumference of the guide barin accordance with the extracted aspect ratio information; adjusting anextent of the flexible display rolled up on the outer circumference ofthe flexible display in accordance with the received command signal;displaying video data in the received content on a first partitionedregion of the region in the flexible display, and displaying captiondata on a second partitioned region of the region in the flexibledisplay not rolled up on the outer circumstance circumference of theguide bar if the caption data is included in the received metadata; anddisplaying, in a standby mode, information received from another indoorhome device, a portable device, or a mobile device on the secondpartitioned region of the region in the flexible display not rolled upon the outer circumstance circumference of the guide bar, wherein thesecond partitioned region is not rolled up on the outer circumference ofthe guide bar in the standby mode, and the region in the flexibledisplay not rolled up on the outer circumstance of the guide bar isminimized in the standby mode vertical width of the region of theflexible display not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guidebar is made smaller in the standby mode such that only the secondpartitioned region of the region is not rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising saving a function or lookup table for determining thevertical width of the region in the flexible display not rolled up onthe outer circumference of the guide bar in accordance with the aspectratio of the screen in the flexible display in a storage unit.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, the adjusting the extent of the flexible displayrolled up on the outer circumference of the flexible display,comprising: detecting the function or a value in the lookup table byaccessing the storage unit; and determining the vertical width of theregion in the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumferenceof the guide bar using the detected function or value in the lookuptable.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: sensing a user'seye using a sensor; and adjusting a height of the guide bar to enablethe sensor and the user's eye to be situated in parallel with each otheron a same level.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:detecting the caption data from the received metadata; and if thecaption data is detected, controlling the video data of the receivedcontent and the caption data to be displayed on the first partitionedregion of the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the outercircumference of the guide bar and the second partitioned region of theregion of the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumferenceof the guide bar, respectively.
 20. A digital television comprising: aflexible display; a sensing unit configured to receive a user command; aguide bar supporting the flexible display; a motor coupled to the guidebar and configured to roll the flexible display on an outercircumference of the guide bar, the flexible display having a firstregion rolled on the outer circumference of the guide bar and a secondregion not rolled on the outer circumference of the guide bar; awireless communication unit configured to pair the digital televisionwith a portable device, a mobile device or at least one indoor homedevice; and a controller configured to: in response to a first displaymode, extract aspect ratio information from video data to be displayedon the flexible display, adjust a vertical width of the second region tobe a first width in accordance with the extracted aspect ratioinformation, display the video data on a first partitioned region of thesecond region, and display caption data on a second partitioned regionof the second region in correspondence with the displayed video data ifthe caption data is included with the video data, and in response to asecond display mode, adjust the vertical width of the second region tobe a second width that is smaller than the first width, and displayinformation on the second partitioned region received from the pairedportable device, the mobile device or the at least one indoor homedevice, wherein the vertical width of the second region of the flexibledisplay is adjusted to be smaller in the second display mode such thatonly the second partitioned region of the region is not rolled on theouter circumference of the guide bar.
 21. The digital television ofclaim 20, wherein the sensing unit further comprises at least one of aneye recognition sensor configured to recognize an eye of a user or amotion recognition sensor configured to recognize a motion of the user.22. The digital television of claim 20, wherein the flexible display isan organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
 23. The digitaltelevision of claim 20, wherein the controller is further configured to:turn on a light source of the flexible display in part to illuminatewhile the digital television is in the second display mode, and preventusing a specific function including contents viewing in the seconddisplay mode.
 24. The digital television of claim 20, wherein thewireless communication unit is further configured to receive additionalinformation from the paired portable device, the mobile device or the atleast one indoor home device while the digital television is in thesecond display mode, and wherein the controller is further configured toprevent using a specific function including contents viewing in thesecond display mode.
 25. The digital television of claim 24, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: display the additional informationas graphic data or text data on the flexible display.
 26. A method ofcontrolling a digital television, the method comprising: receiving, viaa sensing unit of the digital television, a user command; pairing, via awireless communication unit of the digital television, the digitaltelevision with a portable device, a mobile device or at least oneindoor home device; rolling a flexible display of the digital televisionon an outer circumference of a guide bar via a motor, wherein theflexible display has a first region rolled on the outer circumference ofthe guide bar and a second region not rolled on the outer circumferenceof the guide bar; in response to a first display mode, extracting, via acontroller, aspect ratio information from video data to be displayed onthe flexible display, adjusting a vertical width of the second region tobe a first width in accordance with the extracted aspect ratioinformation, displaying the video data on a first partitioned region ofthe second region, and displaying caption data on a second partitionedregion of the second region in correspondence with the displayed videodata if the caption data is included with the video data; and inresponse to a second display mode, adjusting the vertical width of thesecond region to be a second width that is smaller than the first width,and displaying information on the second partitioned region receivedfrom the paired portable device, mobile device or the at least oneindoor home device, wherein the vertical width of the second region ofthe flexible display is adjusted to be smaller in the second displaymode such that only the second partitioned region is not rolled on theouter circumference of the guide bar.
 27. The method of claim 26,further comprising: recognizing, via an eye recognition sensor of thedigital television, an eye of a user; or recognizing, via a motionrecognition sensor, a motion of the user.
 28. The method of claim 26,wherein the flexible display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED)display.
 29. The method of claim 26, further comprising: turning on, viathe controller, a light source of the flexible display in part toilluminate while the digital television is in the second display mode;and prevent using, via the controller, a specific function includingcontents viewing in the second display mode.
 30. The method of claim 26,further comprising: receiving, via the wireless communication unit,additional information from the portable device or the at least oneindoor home device while the digital television is in the second displaymode; and preventing using, via the controller, a specific functionincluding contents viewing in the second display mode.
 31. The method ofclaim 30, further comprising: displaying, via the controller, theadditional information as graphic data or text data on the flexibledisplay.